Niterra UK tackles five spark plug misconceptions
Niterra UK tackles five key misconceptions about precious metal spark plugs that could be holding you back from maximising sales opportunities. Here’s Becca Knight, its marketing manager.
Precious metal spark plugs have to battle through a lot of misconceptions, but when it comes to modern vehicle performance, they have more to offer than many people realise. By addressing these myths with workshop customers, you can help unlock upsell potential and strengthen workshop trust in premium products:
1. “They’re only for high performance engines”
It’s easy to assume that precious metal spark plugs are only relevant for high performance vehicles, but that simply isn’t the case. They offer just as many benefits for a 1.2L engine as they do for a 3L powerhouse. Smaller turbocharged engines are often working to their maximum capacity and demand reliable, efficient combustion. Iridium and platinum plugs deliver that by providing a more stable spark and better ignition performance under load.
2. “They only came out recently”
NGK has been manufacturing precious metal spark plugs for decades. Iridium IX was launched in 2006, and the company’s expertise with these materials goes back even further. This isn’t new technology. The benefits are proven and it’s certainly not going away. As VMs continue to specify iridium and platinum in OE designs, you can confidently recommend this trusted, OE-standard technology to workshop customers.
3. “It’s just a gimmick to charge more”
Yes, they cost a little more, but that price reflects the real value of the materials used. Iridium is one of the hardest metals on Earth, with a melting point of 2,450°C. It resists wear and spark erosion far better than standard metals. NGK’s iridium and platinum tips are laser welded to ensure maximum performance and durability, giving workshops and their customers tangible improvements in reliability and efficiency. As a result, service life is typically double that of standard nickel plugs.
4. “The only last longer – thats’s it”
Longevity is just one part of the story. Precious metal plugs operate at higher temperatures, which help prevent carbon buildup. That’s a major benefit in urban driving and stop-start traffic where fouling can be a real issue. Their lower voltage demand also reduces strain on the ignition system overall, protecting coils and the wider ignition eco-system. These are valuable selling points if you’re discussing a reliable product and providing technical support for the workshop’s highquality service goals.
5. “You’re wasting milage if you follow standard service intervals”
In truth, these plugs are capable of lasting beyond standard service intervals. That’s part of their appeal. There’s no need for workshops to worry about poor starting or rough idling towards the latter end of the running interval before next service. It means that if a driver misses a scheduled service when things get busy, these plugs keep performing. It’s about peace of mind for drivers and protecting engine health when life gets in the way.
Key Takeaways
Niterra has been developing spark plug technology for nearly a century, so, by turning to NGK Ignition Parts’ precious metal solution for garages, it is confident you can offer all the technical benefits, a supportive service to customers and NGK’s comprehensive UK application coverage.
The message is clear: don’t make presumptions about precious metal spark plugs. There is an opportunity to drive sales with proven, premium technology that has more to offer than many people think.
